Locksmiths have been a part of society since the Middle Ages, offering an invaluable service to their communities. Already in the 5th Century, they were utilizing their expertise to construct, fix and keep up locks for entryways and different security systems. During those times, locksmiths were viewed as a sign of trustworthiness and safety, being able to make complex and secure locks that would protect homes and castles from invaders. They also produced a selection of tools and techniques to pick and go around locks, allowing them to open and close doors quickly and securely. Middle Ages locksmiths were highly valued by the community and were fundamental in maintaining the safety of people and their possessions.
History of Locksmithing in Medieval Times
The roots of the locksmith profession can be traced all the way back to the 9th Century, when the first padlocks constructed from iron and wood were used throughout Europe. The utilization of these locks expanded during the Middle Ages, particularly in big cities such as Paris, London, Cordoba, and Damascus. This was when the initial key-and-latch systems were also created to guard windows and doors. The first keys were usually made of wood or bone and were sometimes carved with ornamental designs. The first government-run locksmiths service started in the 12th Century when King Philip Augustus of France founded the first guilds. These guilds were responsible for managing the locksmiths in the cities and setting the criteria for their craftsmanship. Padlock production gained even more traction during the Middle Ages, and many locksmiths started to specialize in this area. Exciting!
The Role of Locksmiths in Medieval Times
The profession of a locksmith dates back centuries, with its origin in the Middle Ages. As early as the 5th Century, these highly-skilled workers would make, repair, and maintain locks to ensure the safety of homes, castles, and other valuables. During this time, locksmiths were seen as a sign of trust and security, and they would create intricate locks to protect people and their possessions. Additionally, they would employ a variety of tools and techniques to pick and bypass locks, allowing them to open and close doors with efficiency and accuracy. All in all, locksmiths during the Middle Ages were an essential part of the community, and their services were highly valued due to their ability to keep people and their property secure. Excitedly, their role in history is still remembered today.
Types of Locks Used in the Middle Ages
During the medieval period, a variety of locks were employed – from wooden locks to iron locks, padlocks, combination locks, key-and-latch systems, and wooden barrel locks. The most common were the wooden locks which were often adorned with impressive designs and used to protect doors and windows. Iron locks, too, were popular and used mainly to safeguard valuables such as chests and storehouses. Padlocks, on the other hand, were ubiquitous and employed to secure gates and doors, being robust enough to bear heavy usage. Excitingly, many of these locks were ornately decorated!
The Tools Used by Locksmiths
In the Middle Ages, locksmiths used a variety of instruments to create and manipulate locks, such as chisels, wrenches, hammers, mallets, saws, screwdrivers, drills, pincers, and files. They employed chisels and mallets to shape iron and wood, while hammers, wrenches, and pincers were used to manipulate metal. They sharpened their tools with files and cut and shaped wood and iron with saws. Among the most essential tools in a locksmith’s arsenal were the lockpicks, which included hooks, wedges, rakes, and probes. These were used to open and close locks, and to remove broken parts and uncover their inner mechanisms. Excitingly, these tools allowed locksmiths to do their jobs!
The Importance of Locksmiths in Medieval Times
During the Middle Ages, locksmithing had a crucial role to play in safeguarding residences and businesses from unauthorized entry. Most people at that time did not have a key to their home, and thus relied on padlocks and other locks to keep people out. Furthermore, locksmiths were also highly responsible for keeping castles secure. Wealthy people like burghers, merchants, and nobles used grand and fancy locks to prevent their houses from getting robbed. Besides that, locksmiths were also in charge of setting up and repairing the locks for treasure chests and storehouses, which were used to store expensive items such as gems and coins.
How Locksmiths Protected People and Property
During the Middle Ages, locksmiths had a significant function of ensuring the safety of people and their possessions. They developed an array of locks that could be used to guard dwellings, businesses and chests of valuables. Moreover, they invented tools to unlock and open doors rapidly and securely. In addition, they charged a low fee for installation and promised to refund the cost of the lock if it were to be broken within one year. Unfortunately, many individuals in this period were incapable of affording a new lock and were left exposed and insecure. However, they were able to shield themselves and their possessions from robbers with the aid of a locksmith who could get their windows and doors closed safely.
Locksmiths have a long and fascinating history that dates back to the Middle Ages. During this period, these skilled professionals were highly sought after for their ability to craft complex and robust locks that could be used to secure residences and fortifications. Additionally, locksmiths developed various techniques and tools to help them open and close doors quickly and safely, making them an invaluable asset to the community.
